US Patent 7520098 Stepped tile shingle

A shingle includes a body having an upper end, a lower end, a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side. The body has a width defined as the distance between the two opposing sides, a length defined by the distance between the upper end and the lower end. In a preferred embodiment, the shingle also includes a side wall that extends downward from the body adjacent one of the sides and extends the length of the shingle. The side wall preferably includes an angular projection disposed toward the upper end.